The Great Recession that began in 2008 has been a rude awakening for America’s cities. Declining tax receipts and increasing demand for social services are straining municipal budgets. At the same time, lacking the power and resources of state and federal governments, local policy responses have been constrained. For cities all across the country, the Great Recession is exacerbating longstanding problems and also posing new challenges.
How have cities fared? How are they responding? This program explores the many ways that cities in the United States have been affected by, and are reacting to, the current economic downturn. The Great Recession offers a timely lens for exploring a wide range of local government issues, from municipal finance to education to economic development. In addition, it offers an opportunity to look at both distressed and resilient cities—from those that were devastated by the financial crisis, to those that have responded effectively or even thrived in the face of these challenges.
Business Meeting at Program Conclusion.